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[Gervassen]

"I have a love of knowledge and those bearing it. We can speak of many things, I should hope. As an archer, I have a natural sense of the flight of objects, but can you truly determine the path of a flying object before you feel the heft of the bow? I was once told by a clergymen that little angels carried the arrow, and the truest marksman was the most virtuous, though later had misgivings of that information."

[Maldevious]

Gunther gives a hearty laugh as you relate the story of the clergyman and the angels, and launches into a frankly dizzying discussion of the mechanics of an object in what he calls "ballistic" motion. He discusses angle of launch, the force with which it is projected with, the resistance conferred by the wind, and a number of other things he refers to as variables.

You much on a cucumber sandwich as you attempt to follow along with his dissertation. You occasionally chime in with your own observations as an archer, which he then goes on to break down in great mechanical detail. At the end of the lunch, you have a very basic understanding of the principles he is discussing, although the scribbling that he refers to as "equations" are still well beyond your comprehension.

Lunch is completed, and you two talk pleasantly but superficially for a few minutes. Gunther sits back and lights a pipe. You know that you should probably greet the Count, but you really would rather not.

What now?

[Gervassen]

"You bear a great fund of knowledge from abroad, and perhaps more of your own insight than you will modestly profess, Gunther. Your lectures can do much good for the kingdom, and I am a prosperous knight in a way to rise. I have seen the value of your knowledge and ask that I might retain you as a lecturer here, with a scribe or perhaps several to copy your works on good vellum."

[Iituem]

"Plus, I would dearly like you to meet my wife.  I make no secret that she is far more capable in matters of books and learning than myself and I don't doubt that she would profit greatly from speaking with you."

After that, pick up a bottle of our best vintage and invite the Count for a drink.  Make damn sure we pour it ourselves.

[Gervassen]

If he seems reticent at this offer, sweeten it: "Or indeed, you yourself can name the number of scribes, and you shall have them to write these works and spread your knowledge. And the laborers who work on my walls today shall be diverted to build you a handsome townhouse of best materials and a scriptorium near the library tomorrow. Till then, you may stay in my own manor as my guest, and a sad day for me when your own townhouse shall be finished."

Then excuse ourselves on account of duty, and express eagerness to chat again later.

[Talvara]

I think taking him on as a lecturer is a little premature, He'll always be welcome in our town and at our table, and we'll share our ambition to one day set up a place of learning within our town. but right now we don't really have a job for him.

We should go deal with the count now, find out if hes a happy or an angry drunk, (or if hes passed out)

[Gervassen]

This is an age before email. You can't just message a itinerant sage who could have traveled to Cathay by the time you make up your mind to get serious about education, and he's a frigging genius that could be snagged by the few others interested in learning. We get him now, hell or high water.

His job right now is supervising scribes writing his works. We've got a fat treasury, and this is a worthy way to spend it. Let's do this.

[Iituem]

This is an age before email, and he's a frigging genius that could be snagged by the few others interested in learning. We get him now, hell or high water.

Hell yes.  We're not going to be seeing the invention of gunpowder in this game, but we might well get the three field system out of this, and that's a much more useful development in the long run.  That's something we'll only get if we invest in scholars, and invest hard.

[10ebbor10]

Sadly, we're anachronistically using a 4 stage crop rotation already.

[Gervassen]

Sadly, we're anachronistically using a 4 stage crop rotation already.

Yeah, that was me. No problem. After the story develops a little more, we can retcon it!

Also, the advancements in farming techniques were not scholarly developments, to my knowledge, but rather trial-and-error among farmers. Our farmers were just extremely good at those trails-and-errors.

[Iituem]

Huh.  I'm sure there's some major pre-Industrial agricultural discoveries still to be made.  Failing that, it never hurts to have a man who can design siege engines...

[Gervassen]

You can start with one man and make his lectures the anchor and base for a university.

[tryrar]

Yup, I agree, we need to have him stay, he will be a BIG boon to our lands

[Maldevious]

Three field crop rotations were not entirely uncommon back then, and IRL four field rotation started in the late 17th Century... so while you are certainly  a bit ahead of the time, it is not inconceivable that an enterprising farmer (with a good roll) would figure out how to rotate one more field into the mix.

Gunther sits back as you lay out a very enticing proposal... a place to lecture in a prospering town, along with a scribe to copy down his thoughts and musings. He seems slightly unsure of what to say to such a sudden offer, so you sweeten the pot by throwing in a fine house near the town's library and another scribe.

"Sir Stone... this is an offer of unprecedented generosity. I would be a fool to reject it. So I will not reject it. I accept. Thank you, kind Sir."

With that, you tell him that duty calls, and he takes his leave. You send for a bottle of your finest wine, still corked, of course, and then tell Mr. Dent to send for the Count.

You wait for nearly an hour before the man shows up in the middle of the afternoon. He only reeks slightly of alcohol. In fact, this may be the most sober you've seen the man. He does not look well, despite his relative soberness. His porcine cheeks are red, and a gravy stain mars his tabbard.

"Sir R... Stone. I was wondering when you would greet your liege lord."

[Gervassen]

"Apologies, Milord. I did not wish to disturb your enjoyment of the Fair, whiles the best plays were being enacted and the best songs being sung. The ending of the Fair brings me sadness at its passing, but happiness that I may greet you without inconveniencing you, Milord. Let us break the seal on this bottle of exquisite vintage and reason together."